Festus Keyamo urges President Trump to seek balanced information on Nigeria, dismissing claims of targeted killings of Christians
Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has addressed claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, urging international leaders to seek a balanced perspective.
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Keyamo, a senior lawyer and human rights activist, highlighted his three decades of experience and the recognition he received in 2017 with the Global Human Rights Award from the United States Global Leadership Council.
Writing directly to former U.S. President Donald Trump, Keyamo stated that Nigeria is a secular nation where all religions are legally protected, and insisted that Christians are not specifically targeted for persecution.
He acknowledged the country’s security challenges, citing attacks by Boko Haram, armed herdsmen, and cattle rustlers, but emphasised that these incidents affect all communities, regardless of faith.
Keyamo also noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim, has demonstrated inclusivity by appointing Christian security chiefs and maintaining strong ties with Christian leaders.
He argued that opposition parties in Nigeria also recognise that there is no targeted campaign against Christians.
The minister concluded by urging the United States government to engage in open dialogue, broaden its information sources, and collaborate with Nigeria to tackle longstanding security challenges.
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Keyamo’s statement underscores the Nigerian government’s stance that religious coexistence remains a constitutional principle, and that efforts to fight terrorism are aimed at all threats, not specific faith communities.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
